Iowa's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of traditional and timeless baby names. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen were among the top choices for baby girls, while Robert, John, and William were the most popular names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved," was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa in 1920. Dorothy, derived from the Greek name Dorothea meaning "gift of God," and Helen, meaning "bright" or "shining," were also very popular choices. For baby boys, Robert, meaning "bright fame," John, meaning "God is gracious," and William, meaning "resolute protector," were the top picks. These names reflect a love for classic and meaningful names that have a strong and timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1920

In Iowa, 1920, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1213 babies being named Mary. Following Mary, the most popular names were Dorothy with 985 babies, Helen with 788 babies, Margaret with 671 babies, and Ruth with 665 babies. These names were the top 5 most commonly given names to baby girls in Iowa in 1920.

Mary

1213 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Dorothy

985 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

788 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Margaret

671 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

665 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Betty
461 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Mildred
409 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Virginia
401 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Evelyn
367 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Marjorie
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Doris
335 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Maxine
327 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Maxine
Frances
312 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Lois
272 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Alice
265 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Marie
240 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Florence
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Irene
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Lucille
221 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Jean
220 baby girls born in Iowa (1920) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1920

In Iowa, 1920, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Donald, and Charles. Robert was the most popular name with 1389 babies given that name. John came in second with 929 babies, while William was third with 749 babies. Donald and Charles were fourth and fifth, respectively, with 690 and 561 babies given those names. These names were likely chosen due to their classic and traditional sound, as well as their popularity at the time.

Robert

1389 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

929 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
William

749 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Donald

690 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles

561 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
James
543 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Harold
526 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Richard
429 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
407 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Kenneth
401 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Raymond
364 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Paul
324 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Edward
264 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Joseph
246 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ralph
246 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Jack
240 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Howard
220 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Howard
The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.
Arthur
216 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Arthur
The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.
Clarence
213 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Frank
204 baby boys born in Iowa (1920) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".